The Mitsubishi Outlander has long been a familiar name in Australian households. Known for its family-friendly practicality, decent reliability, and competitive pricing, the Outlander has consistently remained a top pick in the midsize SUV segment. For 2025, Mitsubishi pushes the boundaries further by bringing modern electrification with a refined Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) option alongside its petrol line-up.
This new generation model isn’t just about greener powertrains. The 2025 Outlander comes with refreshed styling, smarter technology, an upgraded safety suite, and interior refinement that makes it a strong competitor against rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Nissan X-Trail e-Power.
In this in-depth review, we’ll cover the design, performance, technology, interior comfort, safety features, hybrid efficiency, and ownership factors that make the Outlander 2025 one of the most well-rounded family SUVs in Australia.
Exterior Design – A Bold and Modern Look
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander continues with the bold design philosophy introduced in the recent generation but fine-tunes it for an even more premium appearance.
Dynamic Shield Grille: Mitsubishi’s signature “Dynamic Shield” design has been updated with sharper edges, a more sculpted finish, and a modern LED headlamp integration that makes the Outlander look more upscale on the road.
LED Lighting Package: The slim daytime running lights and split-headlamp design remain, but full LED headlights are now standard across the range, offering improved night visibility.
Sleeker Profile: The SUV’s proportions are carefully balanced with a long wheelbase, raised stance, and cleaner body lines, giving it a muscular yet family-oriented presence.
Wheels: Depending on the variant, wheel sizes range from 18-inch alloys on entry trims to stylish 20-inch machined alloys on high-grade Aspire and Exceed models.
Colours: Mitsubishi now offers a broader palette, including classic whites and blacks, premium metallic finishes, and a striking two-tone option exclusive to the PHEV variants.
For families, the Outlander’s design manages to strike a balance between rugged appeal and city sophistication – important for buyers who want practicality without compromising aesthetics.
Interior – Comfort, Space, and Premium Touches
Step inside the 2025 Outlander, and you’ll notice Mitsubishi’s major leap forward in interior quality and design.
Cabin Layout: The dashboard layout is driver-focused yet family-friendly, with intuitive controls, a wide digital display, and soft-touch materials that bring a premium feel.
Seating Configuration: One of the Outlander’s unique selling points is the availability of seven seats in a midsize SUV package. While the third row is best suited for kids or shorter trips, it offers flexibility for families.
Material Quality: Leather upholstery (on higher trims), padded armrests, and well-finished stitching elevate the cabin above many mainstream rivals.
Digital Displays:
A 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is available in higher trims.
An 8-inch touchscreen (standard) or 9-inch unit with navigation (higher grades) handles infotainment.
Infotainment & Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB-C ports make connectivity easy. The PHEV models also offer real-time hybrid performance data through the infotainment system.
Comfort Features: Tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, and available panoramic sunroof enhance comfort.
Overall, the Outlander 2025’s interior makes long drives or school runs stress-free, while the added practicality of seven seats makes it stand out against many rivals that only offer five.
Performance – Petrol and Plug-In Hybrid Options
Petrol Variants
The petrol versions of the Outlander continue with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Producing around 135kW and 245Nm, it offers adequate performance for daily driving, highway cruising, and light towing.
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is available on higher trims for added traction.
Fuel Economy: Around 7.5–8.1L/100km depending on the variant – competitive, but not segment-leading compared with hybrid rivals.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) Variants
The highlight of the 2025 Outlander range is its PHEV option.
Engine & Motors: A 2.4-litre petrol engine works alongside twin electric motors (one on each axle). Combined output reaches around 185kW, giving the Outlander PHEV brisker performance than the petrol-only model.
Battery & Range: A 20kWh lithium-ion battery provides up to 80km of pure electric driving (WLTP), which is plenty for most daily commutes and school runs without using petrol.
Charging:
AC charging (household wall box or public charger) – approx. 6.5 hours for a full charge.
DC fast charging – 0–80% in around 40 minutes.
Drive Modes: EV mode (pure electric), Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid, and multiple terrain settings for AWD.
Efficiency: Mitsubishi claims fuel use as low as 1.5L/100km (combined) when using regular charging and EV driving.
This makes the Outlander PHEV one of the most practical electrified SUVs for Australian families – blending city EV driving with long-distance hybrid flexibility.
Ride and Handling
Mitsubishi has tuned the 2025 Outlander for Australian conditions.
Suspension: Comfortable and supple over rough suburban roads while remaining stable on highways.
Steering: Light steering for city driving, but weight builds up nicely on faster roads for added confidence.
AWD System: Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) enhances grip in wet or light off-road conditions, making it family-holiday friendly.
Noise & Refinement: Improved insulation reduces road and wind noise, while the PHEV model’s near-silent EV drive mode adds extra refinement in city driving.
Technology & Features
The 2025 Outlander comes loaded with tech, much of which was previously reserved for premium SUVs.
Infotainment: 8–9 inch touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, in-car navigation, and voice commands.
Driver Displays: Full digital cluster with customizable layouts.
Head-Up Display: Available in higher trims for key driving data.
Premium Audio: A 10-speaker Bose sound system in top-spec models.
Connectivity: Smartphone remote app allows PHEV owners to schedule charging, pre-heat/cool the cabin, and monitor battery levels.
Safety – 5-Star Confidence
Mitsubishi equips the Outlander with an impressive safety suite, making it a strong family choice.
Standard Safety Features:
Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian & cyclist detection
Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist & Lane Departure Warning
Blind-Spot Monitoring & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Driver Attention Alert
360-degree parking camera (higher trims)
ANCAP Rating: The Outlander has consistently scored 5 stars, and the 2025 model continues with improvements in structural rigidity and crash safety.
For families, the reassurance of strong safety credentials is a big selling point.
Practicality and Family Friendliness
The Outlander has always been about practicality, and the 2025 model keeps that tradition alive.
Boot Space: Around 463L in five-seat mode, expanding to over 1,600L with seats folded. The PHEV has slightly less capacity due to the battery but still remains practical.
Seating: Seven-seat availability is a big plus for larger families or those who occasionally need extra capacity.
Storage: Multiple cupholders, large door bins, and clever under-floor storage solutions.
Child Seats: ISOFIX mounts and tether points across the second row make it parent-friendly.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs Competitors
The midsize SUV market is fiercely competitive, with several electrified options. Here’s how the Outlander stacks up:
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: More fuel-efficient in hybrid form but doesn’t offer plug-in EV range like the Outlander.
Kia Sportage Hybrid / Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Stylish and modern, but no PHEV option yet in Australia.
Nissan X-Trail e-Power: Uses series-hybrid tech, but lacks the Outlander’s EV-only driving ability.
MG HS Plus EV (PHEV): Cheaper entry price, but smaller size and less refined interior.
Overall, the Outlander PHEV is the only mainstream midsize SUV with seven seats and a plug-in hybrid option, making it a unique choice.
Ownership, Warranty, and Running Costs
Mitsubishi offers one of the best warranty programs in Australia.
Warranty: 10-year/200,000km warranty (when serviced within Mitsubishi’s dealer network).
Battery Warranty: 8 years/160,000km for the PHEV battery.
Servicing: Capped-price servicing is available, and intervals are every 15,000km or 12 months.
Insurance: Costs vary, but the Outlander’s strong safety and reliability record keep premiums reasonable.
When compared to rivals, Mitsubishi’s long warranty provides extra peace of mind, especially for families investing in hybrid technology.
Fuel Efficiency and Real-World Use
Petrol Models: Expect around 7.8L/100km in mixed driving.
PHEV Models: With regular charging, many owners will see fuel consumption below 2L/100km for daily driving. On longer trips without charging, consumption rises but remains efficient.
This flexibility makes the PHEV ideal for Australians who mostly commute short distances but also want the confidence of petrol backup for road trips.
Pricing and Variants in Australia
The Outlander range is expected to cover multiple trim levels, both in petrol and PHEV forms. (Exact pricing may vary by state and dealer.)
Petrol Variants: Starting from around $38,000 drive-away for base ES models.
PHEV Variants: Likely priced from the mid-$55,000 range up to around $70,000 for high-spec Exceed models.
While the PHEV carries a price premium, federal/state EV incentives (where available) can offset costs, and long-term running savings make it appealing.
Verdict – Why the Outlander 2025 Is a Strong Family SUV Choice
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander delivers a package that few competitors can match.
For families: Seven seats, strong safety, practicality, and comfort.
For eco-minded buyers: A plug-in hybrid with usable EV range.
For value seekers: Long warranty and capped-price servicing.
For tech lovers: Modern infotainment, driver-assist, and connectivity.
If you’re shopping for a family SUV in Australia that combines practicality, hybrid efficiency, and peace of mind, the 2025 Outlander should absolutely be on your shortlist.
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